ABOUT ARTIST

Rasheed Butt, a world renowned calligrapher, started Calligraphy in 1961. He says about himself, “I am fascinated by the timeless and captivating message of the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah, It gives me much pride to know that my hand is an instrument in creating delightful expression of this Divine message. I feel honoured that the Almighty has bestowed upon me this opportunity to spread this Divine message to audiences worldwide. My work in Islamic Calligraphy is my fate and destiny to which I have dedicated my life.” He has exhibited his work all over the globe and many of his Calligraphy masterpieces feature in museums, private collections and many monuments including the Pakistani Senate, Al-Furqan Foundation (UK), Agha Khan medical college and hospital and Mecca Gate, Saudi Arabia. Butt has been commissioned by the Prime Minister of Pakistan to create inimitable works of Islamic Calligraphy which have been presented to more than twenty heads of state in an official capacity.

Butt’s achievements were recognised by the President of Pakistan who presented him with the “Pride of Performance” award in 1989 which is considered the highest civil award in Pakistan. He was chosen as an International jury member for the International Calligraphy Competition organised by the IRCICA (Turkey) and also as a jury member for the International Calligraphy competition organised by the Algerian Government in 2009.

Butt has worked to promote the art of Islamic Calligraphy and has many students from around the world. He first taught calligraphy on national television in 1991-1994 when he hosted his own weekly programme. He also has been the curator of national and international Calligraphy exhibitions. Butt continues to teach Islamic Calligraphy as a lecturer at the National College of Art and Fatima Jinnah Women’s University in Pakistan.

Notable Collections

H.E. Mr. Hussain Ali, ex. Ambassador of Oman to United Kingdom and Adviser to the Diwan of the Royal Court, Oman

His Majesty Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, King of Saudi Arabia

His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait.